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VATICAN CITY (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance is currently in discussions with the Vatican’s second-highest official following a notable papal critique of the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies and Vance’s theological rationale supporting them.
On Saturday, Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, was expected to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. There is speculation that he may also have a brief encounter with Pope Francis, who has resumed some public engagements as he continues to recover from pneumonia.
Vance is in Rome with his family for the Easter festivities and participated in Good Friday services at St. Peter’s Basilica after a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The relationship between Vance and Francis has been marked by significant tensions over issues related to migration; the Pope has expressed vehement objections to the deportation strategies of the Trump administration. Emphasizing the need to assist migrants, Francis has aligned his papacy with progressive social justice principles, frequently placing him at odds with more conservative factions within the U.S. Catholic Church.
Vance associates with a niche intellectual movement within Catholicism labeled “postliberal” by critics, which is characterized by more traditional Catholic conservatism, including stances against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. This viewpoint advocates for a systemic reversal of established governance, aiming to replace current elites with individuals who align with their interpretation of the common good.
Hours before his hospitalization in February, Francis criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies, asserting they undermine the dignity of migrants. In correspondence directed at U.S. bishops, he appeared to address Vance’s assertion that Catholic doctrine could rationalize such deportations.
In defending the administration’s immigration stance, Vance referenced a medieval Catholic concept known as “ordo amoris,” arguing it outlines a hierarchy prioritizing care from family to neighbors and beyond.
In his letter, Francis seemed to refute Vance’s interpretation, clarifying that “Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests” that gradually encompasses more individuals but rather is exemplified in the parable of the Good Samaritan, promoting a fraternity that embraces all people.
Despite Francis’s admonition, Vance has expressed his intention to uphold his beliefs. At the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in February, while he did not specifically reiterate this debate, he referred to himself as a “baby Catholic,” acknowledging gaps in his understanding of the faith.
After having been critical of the Pope on social media previously, Vance has recently shared prayers for Francis’s health and recovery.
During the Good Friday service, Vance, together with his wife and children, occupied prominent seats at St. Peter’s Basilica. The solemn service included readings in both Latin and Italian, though Francis did not attend.
Pope Francis has started to receive guests once more, including King Charles III, and has engaged with marginalized communities, such as visiting a prison in Rome during Holy Week to fulfill his ministry commitment.
While arrangements have been made for other cardinals to take charge of Easter services, a brief meeting between Vance and the Pope remains a possibility.
Vance shared his reflections on social media, expressing gratitude for his role during this significant time spent in Rome. He extended wishes for a blessed Good Friday to Christians worldwide, particularly those in the United States.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
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